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Colts defeat the Majors

March 31, 2012 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


It's do or die now for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.

Overager Norm Ezekiel broke open a 1-1 tie at 7:48 of the third period and it stood to be the game five winner, as the Barrie Colts defeated the Majors by a score of 2-1 in Ontario Hockey League playoff action on Saturday night. The Colts now lead the best of seven series 3-2 with game six taking place on Monday night at the Hershey Centre at 7 p.m.

The game didn't end without dramatics, though, as the Majors thought they tied the game with less than one second remaining to play, but it was determined the Barrie net was knocked off and the goal was disallowed.

Dylan DeMelo was the lone goal scorer for the Majors, while Brandon Maxwell manned the Majors goal, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Mathias Niederberger made 26 saves in goal for the Colts.

DeMelo opened the scoring with his first goal of the postseason, giving the Majors a 1-0 lead on the power play at 10:57 of the first period from Stuart Percy and Riley Brace. Barrie responded with a shorthanded goal from Steven Beyers, unassisted at 15:20.

Shots were 11-10 favouring the Majors in the first period, and 10-7 for Barrie in a scoreless second period for a two period total of 20-18 for the Colts.

At the 2:05 mark of the third period, Majors defenceman Eric Diodati was dealt a four minute minor for a check from behind on Mark Scheifele, which ended the night of the Colts forward. The Majors were successful in killing the penalty, but just over a minute later, Ezekiel broke open the tie with his first goal of the playoffs, assisted by Josh MacDonald and Aaron Ekblad at 7:48 to put the Colts up 2-1.

With Maxwell on the Majors bench for an extra attacker in the last minute of play, Beyers attempted to clear the Barrie zone, but instead shot the puck into the stands for a delay of game penalty with less than six seconds left.

The Majors won the draw in Barrie's end and after a scramble in front of Niederberger, Mika Partanen beat the Colts goaltender with less than one second left on the clock. When the play was reviewed, it was decided that Niederberger had knocked the net off its moorings prior to the puck crossing the goal line, so the tying goal was disallowed.

The Majors were 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Colts were unsuccessful in six opportunities with the man advantage.

Game six goes Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Hershey Centre, with game seven back in Barrie at the Molson Centre, if necessary, on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to Monday's game can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ca, or in person at the Hershey Centre box office.

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